Financial Analysis Tool (CT-FT) for Western North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers

Authors

• Sam Blumenfeld, The Westervelt CompanyFollow
• Solomon Ghezehei, North Carolina State UniversityFollow
• Justin G.A. Whitehill, North Carolina State UniversityFollow
• Elizabeth G. Nichols, North Carolina State UniversityFollow

Volume

64

Issue

1

Abstract

Western North Carolina is a major national Christmas tree (CT) production region, yet the CT industry faces numerous challenges that threaten its financial sustainability. Little economic research has been done, and limited decision-making tools exist to assist producers, Extension agents, and associated industry stakeholders. We developed an Excel-based financial analysis tool (CT-FT) to assist small and midsize wholesale CT producers in operational planning and financial assessment. The publicly available financial tools will enable CT growers to better understand their finances and operations, interact with financial stakeholders, assess alternative management scenarios, and track yearly costs to improve operational financial sustainability.

Authors’ Contribution Statement

S. Blumenfeld developed the Extension financial tool and updated relevant agricultural and financial data as well as the platform for landowner use as well as original and draft writing. S. Ghezehei provided updated productivity data for the financial tool and assisted with tool optimization for financial elements as well as review and editing. J. Whitehill contributed to project conceptualization, financial elements relevant to production, and review and editing. E. Guthrie Nichols contributed to project conceptualization, appropriate relevancy for public use, user input for financial tool testing and revision, and review and editing.

Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Blumenfeld, S., Ghezehei, S., Whitehill, J., & Nichols, E. (2026). Financial Analysis Tool (CT-FT) for Western North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers. Journal of Extension, 64(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.66752/1077-5315.5645